Religious tourism gaining space in the Expo Christian

MIL OSI-C. Region: English/Latin America –

Source: Republic of Brazil 2

EVENTOViagens to strengthen the faith, are among the products presented in the largest national exhibition of services and entertainment geared to christian audiences, in São Paulo

By Geraldo GurgelO religious tourism, niche explored by travelers in search of the strengthening of faith, is the showcase for the Expo Christian, in São Paulo. Strong religious symbolism, and that served as scenarios to biblical passages, for example, are among the highlights of the largest national trade show geared toward christian audiences. Until Sunday (30), about 100 thousand people shall be circulated by the event, that counts with more than 100 exhibitors.On a visit to the trade fair, the national secretary of the Qualification and Promotion of the Ministry of Tourism, Bob Santos, said that the religious tourism decentralizes the economic impacts positive effects of the tourism industry in the Country. He noted the city of Aparecida do Norte (SP), which annually receives 12 million visitors (between tourists and same-day visitors) who come to the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, patroness of Brazil.“This niche market promotes a movement very interesting decentralization of the benefits of the tourist activity. This flow of tourists heats up the economy of destinations small and medium sized businesses and promotes the generation of income in the undermined areas of major capital cities. There is the great value of tourism: an activity with a high capacity for employment generation, which distributes development,” said Bob Santos.In Brazil, the religious tourism is responsible for the generation of R$ 15 billion annually. Within the list of more than 300 municipalities that have attractive, several of the segment, the Ministry of Tourism has identified 96 destinations that have calendars of events exclusive facing journeys of faith throughout the country.Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida attracts 12 million. Photo: EmbraturEdição: Vanessa Sampaio

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is the translation. Please accept our apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.